Portret van hoogleraar theologie Johannes Cocceius 1668 - 1688

This is a portrait of Johannes Cocceius, professor of theology, made by Wouter Jansz. Binneman. Note the gesture of the hand placed on the chest; a motif laden with meaning. This particular gesture echoes across centuries. We observe it in depictions of emperors asserting power, saints expressing piety, and even in secular portraits where it signifies sincerity or inner reflection. The gesture, seemingly simple, evolves, and becomes a complex symbol that carries a multitude of meanings, adapted to the cultural and individual needs of the time. It becomes an act of self-presentation. Think of the collective memory embedded in such gestures. It triggers a subconscious recognition and response, a sense of connection to a shared history. And so, this image of Cocceius is more than a mere depiction. It is a node in the vast web of cultural memory, continuously resonating with past and present.